The 12 days of Christmas might normally make you think of a partridge in a pear tree, five gold rings or eight maids-a-milking.

But this year our members have given the gift of some mental health and wellbeing tips to help you get through the festive period.

Their comments range from practical tips and self-care advice, to ways to reframe your thinking or how to reach out for support if you or friends and family are struggling this winter.

They鈥檝e shared their thoughts below 鈥� and we鈥檒l be posting their comments across our social media channels each day between Christmas Day and 5 January.

What's important

Day 1 鈥� 25 December

鈥淎ccept that you鈥檙e not responsible for other people鈥檚 enjoyment. You鈥檙e not Santa! If you have children, it鈥檚 not about how many presents you buy or where you take them; spending time together is the most important thing.鈥�

, of This is Me Counselling, in Nottingham

The power of laughter

Day 2 鈥� 26 December

鈥淪trengthen your relationships and immune system with laughter. Laughter realises the hormone called听oxytocin听which helps bond individuals and groups together.听It also increases our antibodies, which help our body fight infection and disease. So those Christmas cracker jokes could have some benefits for you.鈥�

, of Greenwich Wellness Rooms, London

Read Nicola鈥檚 blog about the power of laughter

Pay attention to the present

Day 3 鈥� 27 December

鈥淭ry to pay attention to the present. Worrying about what might happen in the future, or what has happened in the past distracts you from enjoying what's happening right now. Look around you and enjoy the small moments - the tree, presents, the love and warmth of family and friends, food and drink and the many reasons to celebrate.鈥�

Katie Rose, of Chigwell Therapy Centre, London

Walk for the joy of it

Day 4 鈥� 28 December

鈥淕o for a walk but don鈥檛 count the steps. Walk for the joy of it instead. Set time aside whether it's five minutes or 30 minutes - whatever suits you. Step outside, let your mind wander, take in your surroundings. There are so many positive physical and mental health benefits from a simple walk. Enjoy!鈥�

One kind thing for yourself

Day 5 鈥� 29 December

"Find time to do one kind thing for yourself every day - the sort of thing you鈥檇 do for someone else if you knew they were struggling and wanted to look after them. A soothing hot bath, a nice meal, a leisurely walk, or some time with a good book. If you鈥檙e not sure what to do, have a 鈥渕ental health first aid kit鈥� ready, and pick something out of there. This can be a 鈥榞rab bag鈥� for emergencies; a basket of some items that you know will soothe you during stressful times. The most important thing is that this should be mindful time dedicated entirely to you and nobody else."

Make plans to connect in 2022

Day 6 鈥� 30 December

鈥淚f you're not able to be physically with loved ones this winter, it doesn鈥檛 mean you can鈥檛 share the season. You could plan together to connect with a local charity or join a new club that will give you chances to connect with others during 2022."

Armele Philpotts

Reduce your desire for control

Day 7 鈥� 31 December

鈥淩educe your desire for control - we鈥檝e come through various changes and restrictions in the past year. Finding some internal peace and acceptance in this area, can reduce stress and support our mental health and wellbeing.鈥�

Deone Payne-James, a therapist based in South East London.

Focus on smaller changes

Day 8 鈥� 1 January

鈥淟ife is a process of beginnings and endings.听听As we move out of the festive period and into a new year become conscious of your ability to design your life in a way that works for you. 听Focus on what smaller changes you can make today by setting micro-goals to help motivate and encourage balanced life.鈥�

, a Cardiff-based therapist

Open a conversation

Day 9 - 2 January

鈥淚f you鈥檙e worried about a friend or family member who鈥檚 struggling with their mental health, often small everyday actions can make the biggest difference. Opening a dialogue with something as simple as 鈥淚 notice you鈥檙e going through something difficult right now. How can I best support you?鈥� can sometimes be the first step in someone seeking support.鈥�

, of Wellspace Therapy.

Read more about how to get help for someone else.

Have a worry dump

Day 10 鈥� 3 January

"Journals are a great outlet for anxiety - some people find it helpful to have a 'worry dump', writing your worries down can help to organise your thoughts and dilute the intensity of your anxiety"

, a therapist based in Northampton

Coping with the unexpected

Day 11 鈥� 4 January

"The past few weeks have been full of听unexpected events for many of us.听Recognise that people may respond in different ways to the unexpected. For some people who are neurodiverse, surprises are never 鈥榥ice鈥�.

Sarah Press, of Mind Your Mind, based in Oakham, Leicestershire

Acceptance is important

Day 12 鈥� 5 January

鈥淎cceptance is a really important foundation for happiness and wellbeing. Try to be your natural self and not what you think others expect from you. If you鈥檙e struggling, seeking professional help is a really powerful act of self-care.鈥�

Dee Johnson, of Mind Soup Therapy, based in Essex

You can find a counsellor or psychotherapist who can help you via our therapist directory.